Criminal legal system reform is one of the most pressing civil rights issues of our day. Deeply intertwined with criminal legal reform, there is currently a housing crisis in our communities, especially for people and families impacted by the criminal legal system.
People with a conviction record and/or history of criminal legal system involvement often struggle with housing discrimination, income instability, family reunification, and a need for employment services. Black and brown individuals are impacted by the criminal legal system disproportionately and face debilitating legal restrictions once released. As housing providers, you can actively dismantle some of these restrictions and create access to opportunity.
Enterprise Community Partners, in partnership with The Fair Housing Justice Center, The Fortune Society, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and The Vera Institute of Justice, has created a course that is tailored to housing providers and agencies, landlords, and organizations looking to support housing opportunities for residents impacted by the criminal legal system in their buildings.
Ten to fifteen individuals representing a range of housing organizations will be selected to participate in the course. Enterprise strongly encourages representation from affordable housing developers, management companies, faith-based organizations, and service providers.
Throughout the course, participants will learn about the barriers that people with conviction face and solutions to successfully house and support this population. Participants will participate in virtual site visits and will be part of a cohort of organizations working to implement the curriculum's learnings into their work.
Applications are due by April 16, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For more information, please contact Michelle Mulcahy.
Enterprise New York’s Justice Involved Housing Program is supported by JPMorgan Chase and Mizuho Americas.
